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White Collar Crime & Investigations

Our White-Collar Crime & Investigations team has represented multinational companies, state bodies and high net worth individuals in some of the most high-profile cases and investigations in recent years.

We have extensive experience in domestic and multi-jurisdictional disputes involving investigations by regulatory and prosecutorial bodies, fraud, asset recovery, corporate raiding, whistleblowing, enforcement actions, tribunals and commissions of inquiry and financial and cybercrime. We also advise on anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing and bribery and corruption.

We have significant experience in advising clients involved in regulatory investigations brought by the Corporate Enforcement Agency (formerly the ODCE), the Data Protection Commissioner, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Central Bank of Ireland and the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

As a full service firm we can draw on the expertise of colleagues in all departments including Corporate, Competition & Regulation, Data Protection and Banking & Finance. We also have established relationships with international firms and independent experts in forensics and related fields in order to ensure that our clients receive the best service.

Our White-Collar Crime & Investigations team is ranked as a Tier 1 firm in the area by Legal 500 and members of the team are highly regarded, holding positions on a number of prominent committees and forums in this field. Partner Paul Convery has been ranked as a Leading Individual in the area by Legal 500, while Laura Murdock is noted as a Next Generation Partner.

Paul is a Fellow of the International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators and a member of the White Collar Crime committee of the Union Internationale des Avocats, while Laura, Deirdre O’Donovan and Sarah Twohig are members of the Women’s White Collar Defense Association. Sarah is a founding Irish committee member of ThoughtLeaders4: FIRE Starters which brings together next generation leaders in fraud and asset recovery.

Experience

Recent work includes

Advising on multiple complex, multi-jurisdictional contractual disputes pertaining to fleets of leisure cruises, cargo vessels and other assets affected by sanctions implemented against Russia in the EU, UK and US. This has involved advising multiple clients in various court applications seeking orders for specific performance of leases and purchase options. Following successful court applications, we have advised parties on their applications for derogations to competent authorities under EU Regulations and to the US Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Advising multiple investment funds and asset managers in respect of multibillion-dollar losses incurred as a result of the Madoff Ponzi fraud. These cases included cross-jurisdictional proceedings, allegations of fraud, misrepresentation, negligence and breaches of fiduciary duties.
Advising several clients in relation to a high-profile investigation by Inspectors appointed by the High Court on foot of an application from the ODCE (now the Corporate Enforcement Authority) to examine allegations of corporate wrongdoing in a publicly quoted company.
Advising a high-profile company director in a Central Bank investigation into possible insider dealing/breaches of the Market Abuse Regulations arising from share dealings in a quoted public limited company during our client’s role as director.
Advising several professional services firms and stockbroking firms in respect of claims of mismanagement, fraud and multi-jurisdictional issues in both litigation and regulatory proceedings connected with the claims.
Advising an international transport client in respect of its defence of proceedings in the Competition List regarding allegations of anti-competitive behaviour, cartel involvement, collusion and passing on infringements resulting in an overall fine in excess of 3 billion.
Advising an online broker in relation to claims of alleged negligence and breaches of statutory duty, including the European Communities (Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services) Regulations and the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Act, 2013.
Acting for a global private bank in the defence of multiple complex, cross-jurisdictional proceedings initiated against our client and other co-defendants based in Ireland, Singapore, Hong Kong and Switzerland. These are banking disputes concerning various complex, cross-jurisdictional investment structures. The issues relate to intricate banking arrangements, misappropriation allegations, fraud allegations and also involve issues as to jurisdiction and the law of trusts.
Advising a high-profile global business on aspects of business crime, blackmail, fraud, financial misfeasance and whistleblowing. These are multiple matters concerning various allegations made against the client and a third-party including allegations of fraud, blackmail, business crime, financial misfeasance and Whistleblowing.
Advising a high-net-worth client in respect of the impact of Alerts on persons and/or objects under the Schengen Information System (inter-country information sharing system for security and border management in Europe), alleged Director fraud, mis-selling, collusion, and the resulting liability.

Areas of Expertise

Investigations by regulatory and prosecutorial bodies;
Enforcement actions;
Fraud and asset recovery;
Dawn raids, corporate raiding and whistleblowing;
Anti-money laundering and counter terrorist financing;
Anti-bribery and corruption;
Financial and cybercrime.

Related Areas

Asset Management & Investment Funds

Banking & Finance

Competition & Regulation

Corporate / M&A

Data Protection & Privacy

Employment & Benefits

Reputation Risk Management

Related News & Insights

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Article and Insights

Apr 2024

Insider Dealing: Sentence Imposed Following First Conviction in Ireland

Following a guilty plea to insider dealing, the Irish court imposed an 18-month su...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Nov 2023

Legislation Amending Lobbying Act Will Enter into Force in 2024

A commencement order commencing the provisions of the Regulation of Lobbying and O...

Partner

Laura Murdock

Article and Insights

Nov 2023

First Conviction for Insider Dealing in Irish Legal History

A person has been convicted of insider dealing for the first time in the history o...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Oct 2023

John Delaney’s Appeal against Legal Professional Privilege Ruling Dismissed by the Court of Appeal

John Delaney has failed in his appeal against a decision of the High Court which r...

Partner

Deirdre O’Donovan

Article and Insights

Jul 2023

Applying for a Derogation under EU Regulation 269/2014

The European Union updated its sanctions against Russia following the invasion of ...

Partner

Laura Murdock

Article and Insights

Jul 2023

One Year of the Corporate Enforcement Authority

It has been one year since the establishment of the Corporate Enforcement Authorit...

Partner

Deirdre O’Donovan

Article and Insights

Jun 2023

‘Failure to Prevent Fraud’ – the Next White-Collar Crime?

The introduction of a proposed "failure to prevent fraud" offence in the UK will h...

Partner

Deirdre O’Donovan

Article and Insights

Apr 2023

Amending Lobbying Legislation Passes Through the Dáil

The Regulation of Lobbying (Amendment) Bill 2022 has passed through all stages of ...

Partner

Laura Murdock

Article and Insights

Apr 2023

Irish Transparency Watch Dog calls for a Renewed Commitment to Ethics and Anti-corruption Reforms

Following the publication of the 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) by Transp...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Feb 2023

English Court of Appeal Delivers Notable Ruling In Crypto Disputes Case

An English Court of Appeal recently overturned a High Court decision regarding iss...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Jan 2023

CJEU Judgment Protects the Privacy Of Beneficial Owners at the Expense of Transparency

Important new Regulations provide greater clarity to employees on their terms and ...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Nov 2022

John Delaney Legal Privilege Claim Rejected After Failure to Discharge Burden of Proof

The High Court has ruled that the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement ...

Article and Insights

Jul 2022

Corporate Enforcement Authority is Established

The Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment has made Orders commencing the Co...

Partner

Richard Breen

Article and Insights

Mar 2022

CCPC Launches Series of Consultation Papers on Irish Competition Law Powers

On 14 February 2022, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission announced ...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Aug 2021

Perjury is Now A Statutory Offence: What Impact Has This for Businesses?

The Criminal Justice (Perjury and Related Offences) Act 2021 came into force on 28...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Dec 2020

Hamilton Review Group Make Recommendations to Combat Economic Crime

Justice Minister, Helen McEntee, to lead government plan to tackle white collar cr...

Partner

Paul Convery

Article and Insights

Oct 2019

Corporate crime: more tools needed in DPP’s toolbox?

Corporate crime can be challenging to prosecute due to its frequently complicated ...

Partner

Paul Convery

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Practice Areas

White Collar Crime & Investigations

Our White-Collar Crime & Investigations team has represented multinational companies, state bodies and high net worth individuals in some of the most high-profile cases and investigations in recent years.

Key Contacts

Paul Convery

Garrett Breen

Laura Murdock

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